Trump administration 2019 budgets turn back on cycling infrastructure

A Trump administration budget outlined this week for the fiscal year 2019 has shunned funding for bicycle infrastructure and proposed the elimination the TIGER Program.

Expecting to face significant opposition in Congress, the proposals also drop a transportation infrastructure package, pushing cycling further to the fringes.

Reacting to the news, PeopleForBikes Vice President Business Network’s Jenn Dice said: “The president’s infrastructure proposal seems to allow little (if any) room for new bicycle investments. It is frustrating that the president won’t address our antiquated transportation network with a comprehensive proposal to modernise all modes of transportation. Bike infrastructure is cost-effective, focused on safety, and helps mitigate our growing congestion problems.

“The TIGER Grant program continues to enjoy broad bipartisan support in Congress,” Dice said, “because members have seen its positive impacts in their backyard. The president is proposing to slash programs that provide important investments for improving our communities, and strengthening our economy.”

TIGER is a program that has proved popular in the US, with an average of 12 applications for every grant awarded. Because it is so cost-effective, TIGER stretched a $5 billion investment to cover 421 community projects.

“The elimination of the TIGER program wouldn’t just hurt the $88 billion bike industry, but it would also inhibit innovative transportation projects that support economic development and healthy communities,” Dice said.

“We look forward to working with our allies on Capitol Hill from both parties to ensure that our transportation policies support all modes of transportation and that they continue to fund programs, like TIGER, that are effectively building infrastructure in communities across America today.”